Also Chad Ford typically down on the Celtics, as he usually seems to be. Giving us no chance to contend. He is letting his opinion on that color the possibilities of what he things Ainge will do.

Again, no doubt Ainge has called about everyone. But that doesn't mean he really has considered that much. I believe Ainge knows this year could be very similar to last year and our team could very well be better equipped to beat Miami.

Chad Ford is pretty consistently misrepresented on this board. The fact is, he's one of the few 'insiders' who actually talks to real sources.

More importantly, it's very hard to blame him or any other objective observer for looking at the Cs and seeing a less-than-championship caliber team. If you were a Bobcats fan or a Blazers fan or a Kings fan, would you bet on Miami or Boston? OKC or Boston? LAC or Boston?

I think Ford's point is clear, and has some value. That is, more than simple tire kicking. Ainge gets that the time is now to either go one way or the other. So he's listening to all of it. If he can't improve their 'win now' chances -- something he likely feels they need to do to have a serious shot -- then he's going to consider, at the very least, more wholesale adjustments.

What Ford doesn't say, but I believe strongly is the case for the Cs and therefore a major factor, is that Pierce is not going to kept on his current contract this summer under almost any circumstances (other than a banner). He'll be offered a much lower 2 year deal -- say, $7-9mil a year. And who knows if he'll take it.

That likely increases the chances of a more lateral team-changing trade a little bit...

Paul Pierce will either play for the Celtics next season at his full contract value, or not at all. League rules prevent any other option.

The final year of Pierce's contract is partially garaunteed. That is not at all the same as a team/player option. The only way the Celtics can pay him less than his full value is to cut him from the roster by a certain date. Once this is done, bird rights are lost.

Paul Pierce will either play for the Celtics next season at his full contract value, or not at all. League rules prevent any other option.

The final year of Pierce's contract is partially garaunteed. That is not at all the same as a team/player option. The only way the Celtics can pay him less than his full value is to cut him from the roster by a certain date. Once this is done, bird rights are lost.

Don't know if the rest is true, but we don't lose his Bird Rights unless he signs with another team, or we renounce rights to him.

Paul Pierce will either play for the Celtics next season at his full contract value, or not at all. League rules prevent any other option.

The final year of Pierce's contract is partially garaunteed. That is not at all the same as a team/player option. The only way the Celtics can pay him less than his full value is to cut him from the roster by a certain date. Once this is done, bird rights are lost.

Yep -- i get he has a partial guarantee. But I don't believe this is true, yet have no source. Can you provide?

Example: couldn't Kris Joseph have resigned with the Cs on a 10-day contract after being released from his non-guaranteed contract? Didn't Harrellson just do this with the Heat?

Paul Pierce will either play for the Celtics next season at his full contract value, or not at all. League rules prevent any other option.

The final year of Pierce's contract is partially garaunteed. That is not at all the same as a team/player option. The only way the Celtics can pay him less than his full value is to cut him from the roster by a certain date. Once this is done, bird rights are lost.

Don't know if the rest is true, but we don't lose his Bird Rights unless he signs with another team, or we renounce rights to him.

Doesn't waiving constitute the same thing as renouncing rights? For example, we didn't have early bird rights to Wilcox after waiving him, correct?

Paul Pierce will either play for the Celtics next season at his full contract value, or not at all. League rules prevent any other option.

The final year of Pierce's contract is partially garaunteed. That is not at all the same as a team/player option. The only way the Celtics can pay him less than his full value is to cut him from the roster by a certain date. Once this is done, bird rights are lost.

Don't know if the rest is true, but we don't lose his Bird Rights unless he signs with another team, or we renounce rights to him.

Doesn't waiving constitute the same thing as renouncing rights? For example, we didn't have early bird rights to Wilcox after waiving him, correct?

Nope, you can waive the same player you signed 3 years in a row, and as long as they don't sign with another team, you'd earn his bird rights.

Seriously though, this is at least slightly interesting, just because it confirms the smoke we have already been seeing, coming from a very plugged in source. Chad Ford has his weaknesses, and has a major Euro fetish, but he also is one of the more connected "insiders" not named Wojo. So, if he is hearing that the C's are making everyone available, I believe it.

Of course, it doesn't mean they have reasonable estimations of their players values...but it definitely sounds like they are not sitting pat.

Our rotation of bigs (Garnett,Cousins, Millsap, Sullinger and Wilcox) would be best in the league.Our backcourt of Evans, Bradley, Terry, Lee and Barbosa one of the most versalite, with defense (Bradley, Lee), shooting (Terry, Barbosa) and all-around talent (Evans).And dropoff from Pierce to Gay isnt very big.

I have to defend Chad Ford on this one. If you have followed him over the years, you will notice that he has some contacts in the Celtics organization. He has interviewed Danny in the past and I think they talk from time to time. Overall Ford is pretty reasoned and does not throw bombs as it were.

Additionally he has long since given up his Euro fetish. He got Darko wrong. Ok. He admits is and frankly so did a lot of people.

For those Ford haters I leave you with this: In 2006 he ranked Rajon Rondo as the 6th ranked player on his board, the top point guard prospect. Most people slammed him for it. He also stated he thought Rondo would go to Boston at seven and if not most likely slide to Phoenix at 21. Look what happened. He certainly has some insight as to what Boston does draft-wise. We should cut him some slack.

I have to defend Chad Ford on this one. If you have followed him over the years, you will notice that he has some contacts in the Celtics organization. He has interviewed Danny in the past and I think they talk from time to time. Overall Ford is pretty reasoned and does not throw bombs as it were.

Additionally he has long since given up his Euro fetish. He got Darko wrong. Ok. He admits is and frankly so did a lot of people.

For those Ford haters I leave you with this: In 2006 he ranked Rajon Rondo as the 6th ranked player on his board, the top point guard prospect. Most people slammed him for it. He also stated he thought Rondo would go to Boston at seven and if not most likely slide to Phoenix at 21. Look what happened. He certainly has some insight as to what Boston does draft-wise. We should cut him some slack.

Personally, I'm not trying to hate on Chad Ford or make any comments about his career's work. I just thought that the statements he made in this particular piece were completely bogus.